Best Portland to Boston Movers and Practical Moving Guide
Get a Quote Now!
Trusted. Licensed. Insured.
Moving from the lush, hipster haven of Portland, OR, to the history-rich, academic hub of Boston, MA, marks an exciting chapter in your life. You’re trading the laid-back, coffee-scented breezes of the City of Roses for the crisp, intellectual airs of Beantown, stepping into a new blend of culture, neighborhoods, and opportunities. Understanding the significance of this long journey, it’s crucial you rely on trusted and reliable professional movers to ensure your transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible. We provide not only resources and helpful information to acquaint you with your new surroundings but also connect you with the best movers, carefully selected through our unbiased ranking algorithm, to make this pivotal move a success.
Best Portland to Boston Moving Companies
| Company Name | Rating  | BBB Rating | License | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stairhopper Movers | 9.66 | A+ | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| Centaur Moving | 9.60 | NR | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| Northwest Grace Moving | 9.30 | A+ | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| All Service Moving | 9.27 | A+ | Authorized For Property, HHG | Contact |
| You Move Me Portland | 9.27 | NR | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
(800) 787-5428
Moving in the opposite direction? Here is our moving from Boston to Portland guide.
5 Best Portland to Boston Moving Companies
These are the top recommended movers based on our unbiased & regularly updated ranking algorithm (NOT paid promotions)
About Stairhopper Movers
Since 2001, Stairhopper Movers has operated as a Boston-based local moving company that performs local and long-distance residential and com...Read More >>
Services
- Local moves
- Long distance moves
- Commercial moves
This listing has been claimed by Centaur MovingAbout Centaur Moving
Centaur Moving, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a fully licensed and insured moving company with services for local and nationwide mov...Read More >>
Services
- Local Moving
- Long Distance Moving
- Commercial Relocations
About Northwest Grace Moving
Founded in 2008, Northwest Grace Moving is a fully licensed, bonded, and insured Oregon moving company that serves the entire Portland Metro...Read More >>
Services
- Local Moving
- Long Distance Moving
- Senior Moving
This listing has been claimed by All Service MovingAbout All Service Moving
Based in Portland, OR, Willamette Valley Moving has provided moving services in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho for over 18 years. By using a ...Read More >>
Services
- Residential Moving
- Commercial Moving
- Long Distance Moving
About You Move Me Portland
You Move Me Portland is the mover your neighbors trust and recommend. In terms of reliability, customer service, and professionalism, this l...Read More >>
Services
- Local moving services
- Long-distance moving services
- Packing services
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Portland vs. Boston Neighborhood Comparison
Moving can be daunting, especially to an unfamiliar city. To ease the transition, we've compared popular neighborhoods in Portland, OR, and Boston, MA . This guide is designed to help you find a new home area in Boston that feels as comfortable and familiar as your current Portland neighborhood.
| Portland | Boston | How They're Similar |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl District | South End | Vibrant arts scene, chic eateries |
| Northwest District | Back Bay | Historic architecture, trendy shops |
| Alberta Arts District | Jamaica Plain | Diverse community, artsy vibe |
| Ladd’s Addition | Beacon Hill | Quiet streets, charming homes |
| Laurelhurst | Brookline | Green spaces, family-friendly atmosphere |
| Mississippi | Allston | Lively nightlife, young population |
| Sellwood-Moreland | Charlestown | Historic waterfront, close-knit community |
| Buckman | Fenway | Cultural hotspots, iconic parks |
| Sunnyside | Cambridge | Eclectic mix of shops, eateries |
| Hawthorne | North End | Rich history, excellent Italian cuisine |
Imagine strolling through the quaint, cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, reminiscent of Ladd’s Addition with its charming homes and quiet atmosphere. In Boston's South End, similar to Portland's Pearl District, you can experience a thriving arts scene along with chic eateries like The Beehive for an eclectic dining experience. For those who appreciate the diverse and inclusive vibe of Alberta Arts District, Jamaica Plain in Boston offers an artsy environment with community-focused events and unique local shops like Boomerangs. In both cities, neighborhoods like these serve as cultural hubs, providing residents with rich, engaging experiences that foster a sense of community and belonging.
Ready to start your move?
Pros and Cons of Moving from Portland to Boston
Making a move from Portland, OR to Boston, MA requires weighing both the positives and negatives to fully grasp what this change entails. This comparison aims to mirror a reflection of the change from Portland to Boston , listing the pros and cons associated with each city to offer you a well-rounded view of your potential new life in Boston.
Portland, OR- Less historic architecture
- Smaller tech industry
- More rain
- Fewer Ivy League schools
- Less seafood variety
Boston, MA- Rich historical sites
- Larger tech hub
- Seasonal weather
- Top universities
- Fresh seafood
Boston, MA- Faster pace
- Higher cost of living
- Less green space
- Fewer coffee shops
- Heavy traffic
Portland, OR- Laid back vibe
- More affordable housing
- Expansive nature
- Local coffee culture
- Powerful biking community
Moving from Portland to Boston introduces you into a landscape steeped in history and culture, transitioning from Portland's laid-back atmosphere to Boston's dynamic and fast-paced environment. In Boston, you'll find yourself wandering the Freedom Trail, exploring historically significant sites like Faneuil Hall. Boston's educational landscape is unparalleled, with institutions like Harvard and MIT offering rich intellectual and cultural experiences. Despite the higher cost of living, Boston's seafood scene, featuring establishments like Legal Sea Foods, and the distinct seasonal changes, provide a unique living experience. While you might miss Portland's expansive parks and local coffee shops, Boston offers its own green spaces like the Boston Common and the Esplanade, ensuring that you'll find new spots to relax and enjoy your surroundings.
Portland vs. Boston Food Guide
When considering a move, it's essential to explore how local culture shapes daily life, and food plays a pivotal role in this. This is a comparison of the local cuisine between Portland, OR & Boston, MA to give you a taste of what awaits in your new city, enriching your relocation decision.
| Portland | Boston | |
|---|---|---|
| Most iconic local food item | Doughnuts | Clam Chowder |
| Most popular meat dish | Brisket | Lobster Roll |
| Most popular street food item | Tacos | Italian Sausage |
| Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Bowl | Seitan Sandwich |
| Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the city |
|
|
| Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
| Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
| Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
| Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
In Portland, you'll discover an eclectic food scene with a profound emphasis on creativity and sustainability. Neighborhoods like Southeast Portland are teeming with food trucks, notably around the Hawthorne District, offering an array of global cuisines and inventive vegan dishes. Brisket and tacos represent the city’s love for both comfort and street foods, with establishments such as Pok Pok and Voodoo Doughnut being must-visits for any food enthusiast. Boston’s cuisine, on the other hand, is deeply rooted in its history and coastal location, making seafood dishes like clam chowder and lobster rolls ubiquitous. The Italian Sausage, a favorite among Fenway Park goers, highlights Boston's rich immigrant culinary influence. Restaurants like Neptune Oyster in the North End and Union Oyster House, America's oldest restaurant, are iconic, reflecting the city's seamless blend of history and culinary excellence.
Portland vs. Boston Restaurant Comparison
Finding a culinary haven that mirrors the essence of your current locale is crucial in turning a new city into your home. This restaurant comparison between Portland, OR and Boston, MA will assist in discovering your next cherished dining spots, using your favorite Portland eateries as a guide.
| Portland | Boston | What You'll Love |
|---|---|---|
| Le Pigeon | Oleana | Inventive Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, bringing a creative dining experience. |
| Beast | Toro | Exceptional tapas and a dynamic atmosphere, offering a comparable communal dining vibe. |
| Pok Pok | Myers + Chang | Asian-inspired dishes with bold flavors, similar to Pok Pok's approach to Southeast Asian cuisine. |
| Salt & Straw | Toscanini's | Innovative and high-quality ice cream, paralleling Salt & Straw's creative flavor combinations. |
| Nong's Khao Man Gai | Gourmet Dumpling House | While focusing more on dumplings, its comfort food vibe aligns with Nong’s comforting single dish. |
| Tasty n Daughters | The Friendly Toast | Similar eclectic, comfort food with a unique twist, ideal for brunch enthusiasts. |
| Ken's Artisan Pizza | Area Four | Artisanal pizzas with a focus on quality ingredients and wood-fired cooking technique. |
| Apizza Scholls | Picco | Renowned for its pizza and also serving excellent ice cream, like a one-stop comfort shop. |
| Screen Door | Southern Proper | Brings a taste of Southern comfort food to Boston, reminiscent of Screen Door's soulful dishes. |
| Pine State Biscuits | Flour Bakery + Cafe | Although known for baking, its commitment to hearty, quality food resonates with Pine State's biscuit delights. |
Among these thrilling culinary matches, a few stand out for their unique takes on familiar comforts. Oleana's Mediterranean flair offers a perfect alternative to Le Pigeon's innovative French cuisine, blending creativity with flavor in a similar fine dining atmosphere. In the realm of casual, yet captivating, dining experiences, the transition from Pok Pok's vivid Southeast Asian dishes to Myers + Chang's bold Asian-inspired menu promises a seamless changeover without sacrificing the zest and zeal your tastebuds are accustomed to. Lastly, for those who cherish the artisanal touch in their pizzas, the comparison between Ken's Artisan Pizza and Area Four showcases an unwavering commitment to quality ingredients and wood-fired perfection, ensuring your pizza nights remain an elevated affair. Each Boston counterpart not only mirrors the culinary essence of its Portland counterpart but also the spirit, promising a gastronomic journey worth exploring.
Ready to start your move?
Portland vs. Boston Real Estate & Living Facts
Understanding the nuances of real estate is crucial when relocating. This comparison offers a closer look at the housing characteristics between Portland, OR, and Boston, MA , designed to guide you through one of the most significant aspects of your move.
| Comparison | Portland | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Architecture Style | Northwest & Craftsman | Colonial & Federal |
| Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
| Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
| Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
| Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Green spaces, Proximity to nature | Historical significance, Access to public transit |
Both Portland and Boston offer unique living experiences reflected through their real estate markets. Portland's housing market is noted for its emphasis on access to nature and green spaces, a reflection of the city's overall lifestyle that values the outdoors and sustainability. Homes here often feature Northwest and Craftsman architectural styles, appealing to those who prefer a connection with natural materials and simplicity. Contrastingly, Boston is defined by its rich history and dense urban lifestyle, with Colonial and Federal-style buildings dominating the landscape. This city scores higher in terms of walkability and access to public transit, significantly impacting the daily lives of its residents. Choosing between the two cities could come down to your lifestyle preferences, whether you prioritize being close to nature or immersing yourself in a historic urban environment.
Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Boston, MA
1. South End: Known for its charming, tree-lined streets and the spacious Peter's Park, which features a dedicated dog run area where your pets can play off-leash.
2. Jamaica Plain: With its proximity to the extensive trails and green spaces of the Arnold Arboretum and Jamaica Pond, Jamaica Plain offers endless outdoor activities for you and your four-legged friends.
3. Beacon Hill: This neighborhood is not only picturesque but also boasts pet-friendly dining options and easy access to the Boston Common, the oldest public park in America with ample space for your pets to explore.
Portland vs. Boston Weather Considerations
When planning a move from one city to another, understanding how the weather compares is crucial. This comparison will give you a preview of what to expect weather-wise in your new home. To assist you, we’ve created a detailed comparison chart of the weather in Portland, OR, and Boston, MA, to highlight the key differences and prepare you for the change.
Portland, OR
Boston, MA
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
Portland, OR
Boston, MA
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
Portland, OR
Boston, MA
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
Portland, OR
Boston, MA
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
| Comparison | Portland | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
| Natural Disasters | Earthquakes, Floods | Snowstorms, Nor'easters |
| Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
| Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
| Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
While Portland enjoys a more moderate climate with milder winters and fewer days of sunshine, Boston experiences a more pronounced four-season cycle, with higher summer highs, colder winters, and significantly more snowfall. The humidity in Boston is also noticeably lower than in Portland, which might be a pleasant change for some. When it comes to natural disasters, Portland faces the risk of earthquakes and floods, while Boston's main concerns include snowstorms and Nor'easters. Understanding these differences will help you better prepare for your move, from wardrobe changes to considerations about home heating and cooling.
Ready to start your move?
Money, Economy, and Job Market Considerations for Moving from Portland to Boston
Moving from one city to another can significantly impact your finances. If you're planning a move from Portland, OR to Boston, MA, it's crucial to compare the cost of living, taxes, and income levels to understand how your financial health might change. This comparison will give you a clearer idea of what to expect.
| Comparison | Portland | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Household Income | $79,057 | $79,283 |
| Cost of Living Index | 111.3 | 132.5 |
| State Income Tax | 9.9 | 5.0 |
| Avg. Property Tax | 1.07 | 1.13 |
| Avg. Sales Tax | 0.0 | 6.25 |
| Top 3 Industries | Tech, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Education, Healthcare, Technology |
| Affluence | Moderately affluent | Very affluent |
| Poverty | Noticeable | Lower than national average |
| Homelessness | Significant | Moderate |
When moving from Portland to Boston, you'll notice several key financial changes. Despite Portland's growing tech and manufacturing sectors, Boston's higher average household income is supported by its robust education, healthcare, and technology industries. However, the cost of living in Boston is significantly higher, primarily due to housing costs. While state income tax in Oregon is notably higher than in Massachusetts, Portland benefits from a 0% sales tax, which can help mitigate overall living expenses. Understanding these financial dynamics will help you plan and adjust your budget accordingly for a smoother transition.
Portland vs. Boston Political & Religious Comparison
Moving from Portland, OR, to Boston, MA, can be a significant change, especially when considering the comparison of the politics between Portland & Boston and religious landscapes of these two vibrant cities. This quick guide aims to provide a snapshot of the political leanings and religious makeup of both locations.
| Portland | Boston | |
|---|---|---|
| Political Make-up | Progressive, leans heavily Democratic | Historically Democratic, diverse political views |
| Local Politics | Highly involved in environmental and social issues | Emphasis on education, healthcare, and housing |
| Religion | Less religious, with a strong presence of non-affiliated individuals | Mixed religious landscape, strong Catholic presence |
While both Portland and Boston share a progressive leaning, the emphasis within local politics differs. In Portland, there's a notable focus on environmental sustainability and social equity, highlighting the residents' commitment to these causes. In contrast, Bostonians place a greater emphasis on education reform, healthcare accessibility, and affordable housing, reflecting the city's historical roots in social justice and reform. The religious make-up in Portland leans towards non-affiliation, suggesting a community open to diverse spiritual perspectives. Boston, however, maintains a robust Catholic presence, indicative of its rich historical connection to Irish and Italian Catholic communities, but still embraces religious diversity. Moving from Portland to Boston, you'll find that while political and religious attitudes may differ, both cities boast deeply committed communities driven by values of inclusivity and progress.
Portland vs. Boston Traffic and Public Transit Considerations
Moving from Portland, OR to Boston, MA? Understanding the differences in traffic and transportation options between these two cities is crucial for anticipating what your daily commute and traffic interactions will look like. This comparison aims to give you insights into what to expect when transitioning from one city to the other.
| Comparison | Portland | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Commute Time (in minutes) | 26 | 30 |
| Traffic Congestion | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 |
| Availability of Public Transit | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 |
| Can you get by without car? | Yes, with some planning | Yes, more easily |
While both Portland and Boston boast robust public transit systems, Boston edges out with slightly better coverage and reliability, making getting around without a car easier. However, Boston's higher traffic congestion score reflects its denser population and narrower, historic streets which can make driving more challenging compared to Portland. Notably, Portland's bike-friendly infrastructure and culture also provide a unique commuting option not as prevalent in Boston. Whether you prefer driving, taking public transit, or biking, each city offers distinct advantages and challenges to navigate through your daily commute.
